Dispensing container with tucklock-tab



June 8, 1965 P. J. GRAYBILL DISPENSING- CONTHIm-ER WITH 'I'UCKLOCE-TfiE Filed April 24, I963 United States Patent 3,187,978 DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH TUCKLOCK-TAB Paul J. Grayhill, Sunset Hill Drive, Pine Orchard, Conn. Filed Apr. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 275,367 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) The present invention relates generally to dispensing containers with reclosable means and in particular to those having a double course tucklock-tab with lateral locking and tucking means articulated thereto and associated therewith. V

This invention is an improvement and combination, variation on the applicants structures of Patent Number 2,819,127 and allowed patent application Serial Number 74,041 since issued as Patent Number 3,096,922, as well as co-pending patent application filed April 16, 1963, on containers having adjacent multiple walls and double course lock-tabs.

The improvement relates to the formation of a new tucklock-tab and associated devices which combine the lock-tab of the container of patent number 2,819,127, the double course tuck-tab and the vertical tuck-slot of the co-pending application Serial No. 273,924 filed April 16, 1963, and the triple side-wall construction of the allowed application 74,041.

The present structure then not only secures the tuck-tab of the co-pending patent structure in vertical tuck-slots but also positively locks it in its closed position, hence the use of the new term tucklock-tab.

Broad objective The broad objective of my invention is to provide a one piece container formed from foldable stock which has opening, dispensing, and locking means inherent in the regular glue-end thereof when used in conjunction with an adjacent at least partially triple-ply side wall of said container, said means consisting of a dispensing orifice in said glue-end formed bythe displacement of a hingedly joined cover thereto, said cover having a two-ply tucklocktab articulated to its free end, said tucklock-tab having protrusion tabs on its lateral margins which conform to exact configurations in at least one of the adjacent plies of the multiple container wall, effecting a very secure locking means, said container also having retention-tabs protruding from the outer ply of the triple-ply wall so dimensioned and positioned as to form lateral tuck-slots which slots afiord resistance to the outward movement of the free end of said tucklock-tab, thus holding in a tongue and groove relationship said tab firmly against the container wall with said protrusion-tabs positioned precisely in the configuration in at least one of the adjacent outer layers of the triple-ply side wall, thus affecting a very secure locking means positively holding said tucklock-tab in a non-movable vertical relationship but also permitting the outward movement of the tucklock-tab in the opening process due to the flexing propensities of the stock which allow the overlapped portion of the tucklock-tab to be freed by outward pressure as said tucklock-tab is being rotated outwardly from the container sidewall on its articulation with the cover of said dispensing aperture thus freeing said tab from said protrusion-tabs or tuck-slots and from said configurations on the container side wall and finally allowing said cover to be rotated about its .hinged connection opening said aperture.

This structure is designed to affordthe easy locking of said tucklock-tab by pressing it against the container side Wall and moving the cover downward into a closed position. In this process the tucklock-tab is forced in a sliding tongue and groove action beneath the retention-tabs into said lateral tuck-slots until said protrusion-tabs snap back into the container wall configurations ef ecting a firm resistance to any upward movement of the tucklock-tab or the cover of said aperture. The reopening process is then possible as before stated. This structure then combines the best features of the previously mentioned embodiments and affords a very efiicient and economical dispensing package with a positive locking device. It is suitable in various sizes and arrangements to package many fast pouring granular or powdered products where controlled dispensing is advantageous and a reclosure is desired.

Specific objectives The more specific objectives of my invention are as follows:

(1) To provide a one-piece glue-end container having inherent opening, dispensing, reclosing and locking means in one of the glue-ends and an adjacent partial triple-ply wall thereof, said means consisting of an aperture, a cover thereto, a two-ply tucklock-tab articulated to said cover and a pull-tab, if desired, articulated to said tucklock-tab, said tucklock-tab having appended thereto locking means functioning reciprocally with the adjacent two outer plies of the three-ply side wall to effect positive locking.

(2) To provide such a container in which the partially triple side wall consists of the container wall and two superimposed extensions of the end glue-flaps commonly known as Van Buren Ears. Also to provide in an alternate embodiment a triple-wall which may be formed using the container wall, the extended glue-flap and one Van Buren Ear.

(3) To provide such a container in which the locking means appended to said double ply tucklock-tab consists of protrusion tabs extending outwardly from the lateral margins thereof, being cut from at least the outer ply of the three ply container wall, the displacement of which tabs form precise matching configurations in said container wall into which said tabs are precisely positioned before opening and after reclosing.

(4) To provide such a container in which said tucklock-tab also has articulated to its free end and preferably to its inner ply a pull-tab, which pull-tab is articulated thereto by a crease which crease facilitates thefreedom in grasping said tab.

(5) T 0 provide such a container having retention tabs articulated by direct connection to the outer ply of said multiple wall, said tabs so dimensioned and positioned to afford an overlying obstruction to the edges of said tucklock-tab thus forming lateral tuck-slots and thus keeping said tucklock-tab in close proximity to the container side wall with said protrusion-tabs precisely positioned in and to the said configurations in the container wall, said retention tabs having the propensity to flex sufficiently that the edges of the tucklock-tab lying therebeneath are easily freed when outward pressure is applied, said protrusiontabs ostensibly forming a tongue and groove relationship with the edges of said tuck-lock tab and into which groove said tucklock-tab may be positioned by a downward sliding action when the tucklock-tab is held against the container side-wall in the closing process.

(6) To provide such a container in which said dis- .pensing means are releasably articulated to and inherent in the stock of the two adjacent multiple walls of a standard glue-end container with the only modification being a second Van Buren Ear or an extended side glue-flap as the case may be to form the triple ply wall of said container thus not requiring any changes in the manufacturing procedure or the filling operation and without requiring any additional appendages such as a metal spout, and still aifording easy opening and secure reclosing of said cover without the use of tools of any kind. a

(7) To provide such a container from which products Designation of illustration 7 These and other objectives and advantages will become apparent as the following detailed description proceeds, when reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in'which these preferred embodiments are shown. The use of these modes are for illustrational purposes only and does not limit to these the application of the essen tial features of my invention which are, (1) two adjacent multiple walls one of which has three ply, (2) a releasable cover of a closable aperture in one of said walls, (3) a two ply lock-tab articulated to the free end of said cover said lock-tab being integral with but releasably cut from the two outer layers of said triple-ply wall, (4-) protrusion-tabs on said lock-tab and reciprocal configurations on said side wall with which said protrusion-tabs conform, (5) retention-tabs on said outer ply of said triple-ply wall which tabs ostensibly form a tongue and groove relationship with said lateral edges of the inner ply of said tucklock-tab, and (6) a pull-tab articulated to the free end of said tucklock-tab to facilitate the opening and closing operation.

FIG. 1 is a view of a portion of the inside of the blank of my preferred embodiment, showing the cuts and creases necessary to form the two ply articulated cover and tucklock-tab, the triple ply container wall and the singleply articulated pull-tab, as well also the protrusion-tabs directly articulated to the lateral edges of the tucklocktaband the retention-tabs on the outer ply of the triple side-wall,

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a portion of the con- .tainer of FIG. 1, in a preopened condition showing especially well the pull-tab, the protrusion tabs, the retention tabs, the tucklock-tab and the cover,

FIG. 3 is also an isometric view of a portion of the container of FIG. 2 is an opened condition showing the detailed construction,

FIG. 4 is a cut away view of the container as in FIG. 2 showing the triple-ply and two-ply walls,

FIG. 5 is a View of a portion of the inside surface of the blank when the extended glue-flap is used to form the triple wall,

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a portion of the container of FIG. 5 showing the access orifice which facilitates the use of the pull-tab,

FIG. 7 shows a small section of a blank of a third variation of my invention in which instance no retentiontabs are used; therefore the protrusion tabs are relied upon wholly to effect said lock.

Description and manufacturing procedure Referring then to the drawings, in which the same or similar parts in the several drawings are indicated by the same number or letter for ease in identification, FIG. 1 is a view of a portion of the inside surface of the blank of my preferred embodiment of this structure, showing members of the novel dispensing and reclosing means claimed herein. No alteration is made in glue-flap 1. Glue-flap 2, which forms the outer course of the glueend of the container, is modified by releasable lateral cuts and a crease to form the aperture D and the outer course of the cover C. This flap is articulated to a Van Buren .Ear V which is formed from glue-flap 3. Likewise gluea very effective closure.

flap 4 is modified to form the inner course of the cover C and is articulated to a Van Buren Ear V which is also formed from glue-flap 3.

Glue-flap 3 thus forms two Van Buren Ears or end glue-flap extensions V and V and is further modified by releasable cuts to form the double course tucklock-tab T and T and the pull-tab P which is articulated to the free end of T by hinge crease H. Tucklock-tab T is modified by a transverse crease to form pull-tab P and by contoured cuts to form retention tab 3, and tucklocktab T is modified by contoured cuts to form protrusiontabs S and retention tabs R. The container as shown in FIG. 2 is formed in the usual way, having adhesive and color applied in the proper areas to facilitate the functioning of the dispensing means, which facts are known to those skilled in the art of container construction.

This container is die cut and glued in the usual manner and can be formed on any machine which can form containers with Van Buren Ears. When the container is filled and closed it is in all respectsimilar to any full glue-end container.

The opening process is made simple and easy, pull-tab P is drawn outwardly from the container side wall 3B which in turn also draws tucklock-tab T and T outwardly, separating its releasable articulations from the adjoined Van Buren Ears V and V Protrusion-tabs R flex sufiiciently to allow the withdrawal of tucklock tab T This is turn releases the cover C and C as pressure is further applied, opening the dispensing aperture D. The cover can then be held against the box and with one finger as the contents are poured. Whenthe container is to be reclosed tucklock-tab T is rotated about and positioned against the container end and pressed downwardly until the cover closes the aperture, and protrusion-tabs S occupy the configurations on the-container sidewall, and the tucklock-tab will be securely held in its closed position by retention-tabs R.

The container can bereopened by pulling outwardly on the pull-tab as before. r

The container of FIG. 6 is in all essentials identical as far as operation is concerned. The extended'side glueflap is adhered on the inside of the container wall backing the access aperture A, which aperture affords ready access to pull-tab 'P. Otherwise the operation of the container is identical.

Both embodiments here described can be set up on any machine which forms Van Buren Ear containers and can be caulk sealed for a very efficient closure.

These containers can be easily opened for dispensing without the use of tools and can be likewise easily reclosed to insureagainst accidental spilling or contamination. The locking device is extremely efficient.

Summary and novelty It should be noted at this point how the novelty of this construction affords several beneficial results. (1) The container as described is formed from a standard full glue-end blank. The only changes are minor alterations in the steel-rule cutting die; no additional stock or other appendage is necessary, except when the extended glueflap is used, (2) the blank is glued in a standard straight line gluer, (3) the container is set up and filled on any standard filling machine which forms containers having Van 'Buren Bars. The only change may be spot gluing on one of the end glue-flaps; (4) The container affords (5) The container can be easily opened by grasping the pull-tab with the fingers; no special instrument is necessary. (6) The container affords ready access to and dispensing of the contained products.

(7) The container is readily and securely reclosed by .tucking the tucklock-tab behind the retention tabs.

8) The contalner is readily and easily reopened by pulling the pull-tab outwardly and releasing the tucklock-tab from the retention-tabs.

The container then in its essential form affords a very efiicient and economical package for a great number of foods and other products which require an efiicient closure and a handy dispensing and reclosing means, this without the cost of special machinery or additional stock (except when the extended glue-flap is used), or additional appendages such as metal spouts. The container is a decided advance in packaging, meeting an urgent need in the reclosure field.

It is understood then that the embodiment shown is only an example and various changes in shape, size or arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

I claim: 7

1. A dispensing container formed of foldable stock, having opening, dispensing, reclosing and locking means inherent in two adjacent multiple Walls thereof, at least one of said walls having three layers of said stock, said means consisting of a dispensing aperture in one of said multiple walls, a cover thereof hingedly joined to said wall, the displacement of which cover forms said aperture, a tucklock-tab of two layers of said stock hingedly joined to the free end of said cover and at least one protrusion-tab directly articulated to one lateral edge of at least one layer of the stock of said tucklock-tab, the displacement of which protrusion-tab forms a notch-like configuration in at least the outside layer of the three layered wall, said container also having at least one retention-tab directly articulated to the outer layer of said triple wall so dimensioned and positioned as to extend over the lateral edge of the inner layer of said tucklocktab thus forming a lateral essentially vertical tuck-slot and affording a tongue and groove relationship with the edge of said tucklock-tab when said container is in a closed condition, said tucklock-tab may have a pull-tab articulated to the free end thereof.

2. The container of claim 1 in which the said triple wall is formed by two extended and superimposed end glue-flap portions being rotated about the corner of said container and at least partially adhered to each other and to the container side wall.

3. The container of claim 1 in which the said triple wall is formed by one extended end glue-flap portion which is rotated about the corner of said container, by the side wall of said container and by extended portion of the side glue-flap, these three layers of stock being at least partially adhered together.

4. The container of claim 3 having an access aperture in said medial course of said side wall so positioned and dimensioned as to alford free access to said pull tab.

5. A dispensing container having opening, dispensing, closing, and securing means inherent in two adjoined multiple walls thereof, one of said walls consisting of three layers, said means consisting of a dispensing aperture formed in one of said walls, a hinged cover disposed to open and close said aperture, a two layered tucklocktab articulated to said cover and so formed, dimensioned and disposed as to tuck into at least one lateral and vertical tuck-slot in a tongue and groove fashion and there be held against the container wall thus securing said cover in a closed position, said tucklock-tab also having articulated to a lateral edge thereof at least one protrusion-tab said tab being cut from at least one layer of said triple side wall said protrusion-tab conforming precisely to a configuration formed by the displacement of said tab, said tuck-slot being formed by a protrusion-tab articulated directly to the outer ply of the three ply wall of said container, said protrusion-tab being so dimensioned and positioned to overlap the lateral edge of said tucklock-tab and form therewith said tongue and groove relationship, said tucklock-tab in one position to securely hold said cover in a closed position having its said lateral edges in said lateral tuck-slot and its said protrusion-tab in said configuration, and in another position to be torn free therefrom opening said aperture, said tucklock-tab also having a pull-tab articulated to at least one ply of the free end thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,364,439 12/ 44 Guyer 229l7 2,812,127 11/57 Graybill 229l7 2,93 1,554 4/60 Matern 229l7 2,979,249 4/61 Gill 229l7 3,096,922 7/63 Graybill 229l7 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER FORMED OF FOLDABLE STOCK, HAVING OPENING, DISPENSING, RECLOSING AND LOCKING MEANS INHERENT IN TWO ADJACENT MULTIPLE WALLS THEREOF, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID WALLS HAVING THREE LAYERS OF SAID STOCK, SAID MEANS CONSISTING OF A DISPENSING APERTURE IN ONE OF SAID MULTIPLE WALLS, A COVER THEREOF HINGEDLY JOINED TO SAID WALL, THE DISPLACEMENT OF WHICH COVER FORMS AND APERTURE, A TUCKLOCK-TAB OF TWO LAYERS OF SAID STOCK HINGEDLY JOINED TO THE FREE END OF SAID COVER AND AT LEAST ONE PROTRUSION-TAB DIRECTLY ARTICULATED TO ONE LATERAL EDGE OF AT LEAST ONE LAYER OF THE STOCK OF SID TUCKLOCK-TAB, THE DISPLACEMENT OF WHICH PROTRUSION-TAB FORMS A NOTCH-LIKE CONFIGURATION IN AT LEAST THE OUTSIDE LAYER OF SAID THREE LAYERED WALL, SAID CONTAINER ALSO HAVING AT LEAST ONE RETENTION-TAB DIRECTLY ARTICULATED TO THE OUTER LAYER OF SAID TRIPLE WALL SO DIMENSIONED AND POSITIONED AS TO EXTEND OVER THE LATERAL EDGE OF THE INNER LAYER OF SAID TUCKLOCKTAB THUS FORMING A LATERAL ESSENTIALLY VERTICAL TUCK-SLOT AND AFFORDING A TONGUE AND GROOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EDGE OF SAID TUCKLOCK-TAB WHEN SAID CONTAINER IS IN A CLOSED CONDITION, SAID TUCKLOCK-TAB MAY HAVE A PULL-TAB ARTICULATED TO THE FREE END THEREOF. 